Have you been in an accident?

One of the best things you can do to maintain your health is address new issues as soon as they appear.

If you have been in an accident, at home, at work, or with a car, NOW is the time to get checked.

Car accidents are common, and can cause damage in crashes as slow as 5 mph. In low impact crashes, the car will often appear undamaged, but your body may still be damaged from the collision. Though pain from the accident may be felt immediately, for many pain won't appear until hours or a few days later. If an impact causes damage to your vehicle, it is highly likely that your body will experience damage as well. This damage left unchecked commonly turns into degenerative disc disease, which is a common cause of chronic back and neck pain.

Who pays for your care if you've been hurt?

You are responsible for your health, and for making sure that your health concerns are addressed promptly, but if the accident occurred because of someone else, you may not be responsible for the bill.

If the accident occurs in your home, or while you were partaking in an activity of your choosing, your health insurance, or other policy should cover care according to the way your policy is written. If you are particularly accident prone, you may want to check with your insuring agency to make sure you have a policy that covers you. Anything not covered by your policy is your responsibility. Our office is currently considered "out of network" by most medical insurers.

An accident which occurs while you are at work will typically be covered by your employer's insurance policy. If this is the case, you will need to file all appropriate forms with your employer, and see whichever doctor the policy they have purchased recommends. It will be your responsibility to keep your appointments, and keep a copy of all paperwork involved in the case.

An accident which occurs with a car should be covered by auto insurance.Was the accident your fault according to the police report? You may still be covered by your policy. Was the accident someone else's fault according to the police report? The insurance belonging to the other person should pay for the damage to you and your car. Sometimes the other person doesn't have insurance, in which case, your insurance may still pay for your care if you have a policy that covers such a situation.

Our office has several years experience caring for people who have recently been injured in an accident, or who were injured long ago and have now developed chronic pain. If the accident was not your fault, it may be a case that requires an attorney. Our office has worked with several attorneys in the area, and is able to care for you if this is your case.